Alexander Isak strike action questioned amid Arsenal striker's successful summer transfer

The summer transfer window of 2025 has not disappointed when it comes to the rockstar sagas and dramatic controversies the market so often throws up. Arsenal have secured six signings this summer, and many still think it isn’t enough. Elsewhere, the Gunners’ title rivals have been on considerable spending sprees themselves.

However, the story of the window has been that of Alexander Isak. A target of Arsenal’s but seen as simply too expensive by the club, who, of course, had a long list of wants beyond just the centre-forward position this summer. The story has taken a new turn after a social media post by the Swede and a retort from his club Newcastle.

Isak was not in the matchday squad for Newcastle’s draw with Aston Villa after interest and an offer from Liverpool that was turned down out of hand. The Reds have not yet returned but the striker has been effectively on strike, trained with his former side Real Sociedad before returning to Tyneside where he has been kept separate from the squad and trained on his own.

Arsenal fans are pleased to have wrapped up their striker signing of the summer with Viktor Gyokeres, who joined from Sporting CP. However, it did not come easy and Isak’s international teammate also went on a strike of his own, missing the club’s pre-season departure.

Club president Frederico Varandas confirmed that if he had stayed, he would have expected a response from Gyokeres in addition to a financial consequence. When asked about the situation in mid-July, he said: "We're calm.

“Everything can be solved with the closure of the market, a hefty fine and an apology to the group.” Gyokeres however would never return and eventually both clubs agreed a €63.5million (£55million) plus €10million (£8.6million) in add-ons move for the forward.

Isak has been roundly criticised for his actions this summer by both many Newcastle fans and in the broader footballing sphere. His statement which he posted to social media in the wake of his decision not to appear at the Professional Footballers' Association's awards gala, where he was named in the Premier League team of the season, read: "I've kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken.

"That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn't reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors. The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.

"When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue. That's where things are for me right now - and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself."

Newcastle were quick to respond themselves. Posting to their official website: “We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak this evening.

“We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.

“We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views. As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired.

“We do not foresee those conditions being met. This is a proud football club with proud traditions and we strive to retain our family feel. Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates.”

Therefore, it begs the question of what the difference is between Isak and Gyokeres’ actions, if there is any. Both players have taken action to try to bring about moves this summer; however, after being successful in the new Arsenal forward’s case, little to no commentary has been made, whereas Isak’s situation remains ongoing and under high scrutiny.

Isak claims that promises had been made and were broken, causing a loss in trust. While he does not explicitly state that he was promised he would be allowed to leave this summer, the implication appears related to the fact that a move this summer was something he desired, and one Newcastle would effectively confirm in their own statement.

In the case of Gyokeres, it was widely reported the player had a verbal agreement over a €60million (£51.8million) plus €10million (£8.6million) deal which if a side met, and Arsenal were willing to, that they would allow him to leave. However, in June, President Varandas had pointed out that this was not the case and explained the situation and the discussions with then sporting director.

"The agent spoke to us to add some clauses,” he said. “Hugo Viana, as he always did, and very well, managed the relationship with the agents. This relational space is established with the sports director.

"One of the agent's biggest concerns was whether we would demand the termination clause. Hugo Viana negotiated with the agents over several meetings until the agent demanded the presence of the president.

"At this meeting, which included the president, the agent and Viana, Gyokeres was not present. He wanted to guarantee certain things. And what was agreed? That Sporting would not demand a release clause now. For one reason: he was going to be 27 years old and no player leaves Portugal at 27 for 100 or 90 million euros.

"In that same meeting, the agent wanted to anchor the exit to a value. I said this sentence: 'It's not worth us setting a value because I don't know what will happen in a year's time. I don't know if it will be 40, 60 or 80. What I can guarantee is that I will not demand 100 million euros. From then on, I never spoke to the agent again, I never spoke to the player about departures or values.

"Now I see the agent in the press releasing information. I want to make one thing clear: Sporting has common sense and keeps its word. Gyokeres scored 63 goals and 10 assists. Fantastic performance. Certainly one of the best players to have ever stepped onto Portuguese turf. And Sporting will not demand the clause.

"Now, blackmail and insults, Sporting will not accept. One thing is certain: Sporting will not accept €60million plus €10million. As of today, Sporting has not received any proposal for Gyokeres."

So, where is the difference between these two situations? Curious about how the Arsenal fan base sees the difference, I reached out on X to get their views. One response in particular revealed what, for me, is the key to why Gyokeres’ strike action is far less egregious than Isak’s.

Senior writer for the Daily Cannon, Dan Critchlow, replied: “The key difference for me is that all parties accepted that Gyokeres had an agreement to leave, unlike Isak. Even Sporting's president said the agreement existed, he just disagreed on the value of it. As per Newcastle's latest statement, they deny an agreement completely.”

Pressed on Isak’s claims that he too believes in broken promises Critchlow replied: “Yeah, I mean if Isak's camp are telling the truth then he has a right to feel betrayed too.

“I just mean that the disagreement in Gyokeres' case was whether he could leave for €70million or 'less than €100million'. Whereas with Isak it's whether or not he can leave at all.”

This is the key. The difference between the two is that in the case of Gyokeres, we have verbal evidence that Varandas agreed that the player would leave for less than his release clause, whereas in the case of Newcastle, at no point has there been public evidence that he had been told he would be allowed to leave this summer.

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger predicted a trend of increasing player power. For many, Newcastle's decision to deny their star striker an exit is a positive sign for the power clubs hold for players under contract.